This past spring the Kirksville R-III was looking to replace the playing surface at Spainhower Field and weighed whether to continue with its traditional grass or switch to a more expensive, but potentially more useful and durable artificial turf.

The school board had to choose between an initial cost of $700,000 for the artificial turf with about $400,000 in replacement costs every 10 years versus a grass surface and its 10-year cost of about $220,000.

District officials supported the artificial turf, citing an at least six-fold increase in usage and availability due to improved field conditions

Expansive upgrades

The board eventually approved the move in early May, paving the way for the district to start the $650,000 project as well as a $550,000 bleachers overhaul over the summer.

The next question was whether or not the field would be ready for kick off in August.

Despite earlier protests and hesitancy from board members, the expansion was unanimously supported.

The revamped field effort was also joined by the announcement of the Orange & Black Foundation, a group aimed at raising funds to create a football field entryway to complement the improvements.

New year, new turf

The contractor and turf installation benefited from the unusually dry summer conditions, completing the project in time for the August 24 home game kick off against Southern Boone. The Tigers took to the new artificial turf with a 51-22 win, Kirksville’s first win in a season opener since 2005.

"This win will get our confidence up," Coach Jeff Jacques said after the game. "The culture is changing in Kirksville football.

The field also saw extensive use throughout the fall semester in addition to sporting events, with physical education classes and the marching band taking advantage of the dry surface.